Arjuna Ranatunga applauds Sri Lanka women's cricketers

Sri Lanka's World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has applauded the country's women's world cup team, stating that they were an example for their male counterparts.

Sri Lankan eves came up with some giant-killing efforts

in the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup in Mumbai, where they

defeated defending champions England and the formidable hosts

India to make it to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

"The women's team is an example for the men's team and

their senior players' commitment is a lesson to some senior

players in the men's team," Ranatunga said.

"They have beaten England and India when no one gave them

any chance," he added.

Ranatunga was also all praise of the women's team captain

Shashikala Siriwardene.

"Captain Siriwardene has been excellent in her

leadership," he said.

Meanwhile, 'The Island' newspaper today highlighted the

financial contrast between the men's and women's players.

A story captioned 'Cricket's double standards', which

carried photographs of Mahela Jayawardene and Siriwardene,

stated that while men get USD 3500 per ODI, the women get only a paltry USD 100